Effect of sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution on peripheral staining of rigid contact lens wearers.

We evaluated the efficacy of sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solutions on 3 and 9 o'clock staining with rigid contact lens wearers in a double masked multicenter study involving four institutions and 43 patients. Both sodium hyaluronate (0.1%) and control ophthalmic solutions (artificial tears) without preservative were used. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The test group received sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution, and the control group received artificial tears as a control ophthalmic solution. The agents were instilled six times per day for 2 weeks while patients wore contact lenses. Although subjective symptoms improved similarly in the two groups, slit lamp observation, corneal staining, and anterior segment photography demonstrated improved results in eyes having received sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solutions. We conclude that sodium hyaluronate ophthalmic solution is effective and safe for treating 3 and 9 o'clock staining in rigid contact lens wearers.